Challenges on the effect of cell phone radiation on mammalian embryos and fetuses: a review of the literature

Zygote ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Maryam Mahaldashtian ◽  
Mohammad Ali Khalili ◽  
Fatemeh Anbari ◽  
Mohammad Seify ◽  
Manuel Belli

Summary Cell phones operate with a wide range of frequency bands and emit radiofrequency-electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR). Concern on the possible health hazards of RF-EMR has been growing in many countries because these RF-EMR pulses may be absorbed into the body cells, directly affecting them. There are some in vitro and in vivo animal studies related to the consequences of RF-EMR exposure from cell phones on embryo development and offspring. In addition, some studies have revealed that RF-EMR from cellular phone may lead to decrease in the rates of fertilization and embryo development, as well as the risk of the developmental anomalies, other studies have reported that it does not interfere with in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection success rates, or the chromosomal aberration rate. Of course, it is unethical to study the effect of waves generated from cell phones on the forming human embryos. Conversely, other mammals have many similarities to humans in terms of anatomy, physiology and genetics. Therefore, in this review we focused on the existing literature evaluating the potential effects of RF-EMR on mammalian embryonic and fetal development.

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry Bavister

Although average success rates of human IVF have increased progressively during the past two decades, the efficiency of this technique, based on each embryo produced or transferred, is still low. High success rates are usually achieved by transferring several embryos to the patient, which is often associated with multiple pregnancies. The quality of in vitro produced embryos is a major area that needs attention. Because there is no in vivo database for human embryos, the properties of normal embryos are not known, and so it is difficult to know how to improve quality and viability. In addition, selection of the most viable embryos for transfer is a rather subjective process. The origins of human assisted reproductive technology (ART) are based on animal ART; however, the two areas of research (animal and human ART) appear to have become disconnected. Re-examination of progress in animal ART could help improve human embryo quality and thereby assist efforts to sustain high pregnancy rates with only one or two embryos transferred. Some key areas in which animal ART can help guide progress in human ART are discussed.


1992 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 193-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
George G Zhanel ◽  
Daryl J Hoban ◽  
Godfrey KM Harding

Antimicrobial activity is not an ‘all or none’ effect. An increase in the rate and extent of antimicrobial action is usually observed over a wide range of antimicrobial concentrations. Subinhibitory antimicrobial concentrations are well known to produce significant antibacterial effects, and various antimicrobials at subinhibitory concentrations have been reported to inhibit the rate of bacterial growth. Bacterial virulence may be increased or decreased by subinhibitory antimicrobial concentrations by changes in the ability of bacteria to adhere to epithelial cells or by alterations in bacterial susceptibility to host immune defences. Animal studies performed in rats, hamsters and rabbits demonstrate decreased bacterial adherence, reduced infectivity and increased survival of animals treated with subinhibitory antimicrobial concentrations compared to untreated controls. The major future role of investigation of subinhibitory antimicrobial concentrations will be to define more fully, at a molecular level, how antimicrobials exert their antibacterial effects.


Reproduction ◽  
2001 ◽  
pp. 51-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Trounson ◽  
C Anderiesz ◽  
G Jones

Complete maturation of oocytes is essential for the developmental competence of embryos. Any interventions in the growth phase of the oocyte and the follicle in the ovary will affect oocyte maturation, fertilization and subsequent embryo development. Oocyte size is associated with maturation and embryo development in most species examined and this may indicate that a certain size is necessary to initiate the molecular cascade of normal nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation. The minimum size of follicle required for developmental competence in humans is 5-7 mm in diameter. Maturation in vitro can be accomplished in humans, but is associated with a loss of developmental competence unless the oocyte is near completion of its preovulatory growth phase. This loss of developmental competence is associated with the absence of specific proteins in oocytes cultured to metaphase II in vitro. The composition of culture medium used successfully for maturation of human oocytes is surprisingly similar to that originally developed for maturation of oocytes in follicle culture in vitro. The presence of follicle support cells in culture is necessary for the gonadotrophin-mediated response required to mature oocytes in vitro. Gonadotrophin concentration and the sequence of FSH and FSH-LH exposure may be important for human oocytes, particularly those not exposed to the gonadotrophin surge in vivo. More research is needed to describe the molecular and cellular events, the presence of checkpoints and the role of gene expression, translation and protein uptake on completing oocyte maturation in vitro and in vivo. In the meantime, there are very clear applications for maturing oocytes in human reproductive medicine and the success rates achieved in some of these special applications are clinically valuable.


Author(s):  
Vinicius Cruzat ◽  
Marcelo Macedo Rogero ◽  
Kevin Noel Keane ◽  
Rui Curi ◽  
Philip Newsholme

Glutamine is the most abundant and versatile amino acid in the body. In health and disease, the rate of glutamine consumption by immune cells is similar or greater than glucose. For instance, in vitro and in vivo studies have determined that glutamine is an essential nutrient for lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production, macrophage phagocytic plus secretory activities and neutrophil bacterial killing. Glutamine release to the circulation and availability is mainly controlled by key metabolic organs, such as the gut, liver and skeletal muscles. During catabolic/hypercatabolic situations glutamine can become essential for metabolic function, but its availability may be compromised due to impairment of homeostasis in the inter-tissue metabolism of amino acids. For this reason, glutamine is currently part of clinical nutrition supplementation protocols and/or recommended for immune suppressed individuals. However, in a wide range of catabolic/hypercatabolic situations (e.g. ill/critically ill, post-trauma, sepsis, exhausted athletes) it is currently difficult to determine whether glutamine parenteral or enteral supplementation should be recommended based on the amino acid plasma concentration (glutaminemia). Although the beneficial immune based effects of glutamine supplementation is already established, many questions and evidence for positive in vivo outcomes still remain to be presented. Therefore, this paper provides an integrated review on how glutamine metabolism in key organs is important to cells of the immune system. We also discuss glutamine metabolism, action and important issues related to the effects of glutamine supplementation in catabolic situations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ofentse Mazimba ◽  
Tebogo E. Kwape ◽  
Goabaone Gaobotse

: Indigenous and medicinal plants have proven crucial to the health of mankind for a very long time. Dichrostachys cinerea is a traditional herb used in the treatment of a variety of human diseases in African and Indian traditional medicine. This paper reviews the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical constituents, pharmacology and toxicity of D. cinerea, in order to provide scientific consensus for further research and exploitation of its therapeutic potential of this plant. Information was accessed by literature searches in different sources including Science direct, PubMed and Google Scholar. The findings of this review paper highlight D. Cinerea as an important component of African and Indian traditional medicine. D. cinerea is traditionally used in the treatment of rheumatism, diabetes, coughs, asthma, kidney disorders, gonorrhea, syphilis, malaria, tuberculosis, epilepsy, snake bites, pains, wounds, boils, burns, toothache, headache, and scabies. D. cinerea displays a diverse phytochemistry, with a wide range of isolated compounds that have well documented biological activities. D. cinerea has demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo biological activities. In vitro biological activities exhibited include enzyme inhibition, antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-malarial activities. In vivo activities demonstrated by D. cinerea include anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrheal, anti-analgesic, hepatoprotective, anti-uro lithiatic, anti-lice, anti-dandruff and neuropharmacological activities. Animal studies have elucidated non-toxicity of D. cinerea for the ethanol root extract and methanol and water leaf extracts. It is vital that future studies on D. cinerea focus on the mechanisms of action behind these biological activities for both the crude extract and its individual chemical compounds. These studies could possibly lead to clinical trials to confirm biological activities found in animal studies. Further studies on multi-target network pharmacology, and molecular docking technology of D. cinerea sub fractions for enzyme inhibitions and neuropharmacological activities are of great importance and could accelerate the process of pharmaceutical development of this plant.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 871-935 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Ayati ◽  
Mahin Ramezani ◽  
Mohammad Sadegh Amiri ◽  
Ali Tafazoli Moghadam ◽  
Hoda Rahimi ◽  
...  

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The genus Curcuma, which is the most important source of curcumin, has been widely used in different traditional medicines. Various species of Curcuma have long been used for several purposes such as healing wounds, liver disorders, jaundice and also as a blood purifier. Aim of the study: This review focused on the ethnopharmacological uses and phytochemical aspects of Curcuma. Additionally, in this study, the different properties of two species of Curcuma in Islamic Traditional Medicine (ITM), C. longa and C. zedoaria, as well as their pharmacological aspects in modern medicine are reviewed. Materials and methods: ITM literatures were searched to find Curcuma’s applications. Also, electronic databases including PubMed and Scopus were searched to obtain studies giving any in vitro, in vivo or human evidence of the efficacy of C. longa and C. zedoaria in the treatment of different diseases. ChemOffice software was used to find chemical structures. Results: The analysis showed that ethno-medical uses of Curcuma have been recorded for centuries. Approximately, 427 chemical compounds have been isolated and identified from Curcuma spp. This genus is rich in flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanin, phenolic compounds, oil, organic acids and inorganic compounds. Curcumin is one of the main active ingredients in Curcuma which has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Besides, pharmacological studies have indicated wide range of Curcuma’s activities, such as hepato-protective, antifungal, antihypertensive and neuroprotective. Conclusions: In this study, we reviewed various studies conducted on ethno-medicinal, ITM properties and photochemistry of Curcuma spp. Also, pharmacological activities of two species, C. longa and C. zedoaria are summarized. Pre-clinical investigations have demonstrated some of the traditional aspects of Curcuma, such as wound healing, anti-arthritic, anti-tumor and liver protective activities. These could be related to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Curcuma which might be due to high amounts of phenolic compounds. Curcuma is mentioned to have neural tonic properties in ITM which have been confirmed by some animal studies. Considering various preclinical studies on C. longa and C. zedoaria and their active ingredient, curcumin, randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm their promise as a clinically effective hepato and neuro-protective agents.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syevda Tagirova Sirenko ◽  
Kenta Tsutsui ◽  
Kirill Tarasov ◽  
Dongmei Yang ◽  
Ashley N Wirth ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundTranslation of knowledge of sinoatrial nodal “SAN” automaticity gleaned from animal studies to human dysrhythmias, e.g. “Sick Sinus” Syndrome (SSS) requiring electronic pacemaker insertion has been sub-optimal, largely because heart rate (HR) varies widely across species.ObjectivesTo discover regulatory universal mechanisms of normal automaticity in SAN pacemaker cells that are self-similar across species.MethodSub-cellular Ca2+ releases, whole cell AP-induced Ca2+ transients and APs were recorded in isolated mouse, guinea-pig, rabbit and human SAN cells. Parametric Ca2+ and Vm Kinetic Transitions (PCVKT) during phases of AP cycles from their ignition to recovery were quantified.ResultsAlthough both action potential cycle lengths (APCL) and PCVKT during AP cycles differed across species by ten-fold, trans-species scaling of PCVKT during AP cycles and scaling, of PCVKT to APCL in cells in vitro, EKG RR intervals in vivo, and BM were self-similar (obeyed power laws) across species. Thus, APCL in vitro, HR in vivo, and BM of any species can be predicted by PCVKT during AP cycles in SAN cells measured in any single species in vitro.ConclusionsIn designing optimal HR to match widely different BM and energy requirements from mice to humans, nature did not “reinvent pacemaker cell wheels”, but differentially scaled kinetics of gears that regulate the rates at which the “wheels spin”. This discovery will facilitate the development of novel pharmalogic therapies and biologic pacemakers featuring a normal, wide-range rate regulation in animal models and the translation of these to humans to target recalcitrant human SSS.Condensed AbstractStudies in animal models are an important facet of cardiac arrhythmia research. Because HR differs by over ten-fold between some animals and humans, translation of knowledge about regulatory mechanisms of SAN normal automaticity gleaned from studies in animal models to target human SSS has been sub-optimal. Our findings demonstrating that trans-species self-similarity of sub-cellular and cellular mechanisms that couple Ca2+ to Vm during AP cycles can predict heart rate in vivo from mice to humans will inform on the design of novel studies in animal models and facilitate translation of this knowledge to target human disease.


A novel magnetic field and radio frequency (1.7 MHz) pulse sequence is described for a whole body n.m.r. imaging machine under construction. Selective excitation is used to obtain signals from successive lines of proton spins (water) across the body to build up an image of a transverse section. The images display spin concentration and spin-lattice relaxation time, T 1 , separately. For a 50 % change in T 1 to be discerned in the human trunk, a spatial resolution of 2 cm 3 is expected for a 2 min scan and 0.5 cm 3 for a 30 min scan. Very preliminary images at the present incomplete stage of development show the geometrical accuracy and T 1 discrimination: an in vivo image demonstrates some of the difficulties to be overcome. In vitro measurements of normal rabbit tissue samples have been made at 24 MHz to map the T 1 distributions that can be expected from normal subjects. The transposition of this information from rabbit to man, and from 24 MHz to 2.5 MHz have been checked and the comparison shown to be meaningful. Of pathological samples, human breast tumour and human liver metastases offer a good contrast to their surrounding tissue, and an experimental investigation has shown that tissue immediately surrounding a tumour also has an elevated T 1 value. A wide range of abnormalities that are associated with abnormal fluid formation in the body may be amenable to imaging by the n.m.r. technique. Potential hazards are believed to be small in the present generation of equipment.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quentin Le Trequesser ◽  
Hervé Seznec ◽  
Marie-Hélène Delville

AbstractThe successful development of nanomaterials illustrates the considerable interest in the development of new molecular probes for medical diagnosis and imaging. Substantial progress was made in the synthesis protocol and characterization of these materials, whereas toxicological issues are sometimes incomplete. Nanoparticle-based contrast agents (CAs) tend to become efficient tools for enhancing medical diagnostics and surgery for a wide range of imaging modalities. The multimodal nanoparticles (NPs) are much more efficient than the conventional molecular-scale CAs. They provide new abilities for in vivo detection and enhanced targeting efficiencies through longer circulation times, designed clearance pathways, and multiple binding capacities. Properly protected, they can safely be used for the fabrication of various functional systems with targeting properties, reduced toxicity, and proper removal from the body. This review mainly describes the advances in the development of mono- to multimodal NPs and their in vitro and in vivo relevant biomedical applications ranging from imaging and tracking to cancer treatment. Besides the specific applications for classical imaging (magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, computed tomography, ultrasound, and photoacoustic imaging), the less common imaging techniques such as terahertz molecular imaging (THMI) or ion beam analysis (IBA) are mentioned. The perspectives on the multimodal theranostic NPs and their potential for clinical advances are also mentioned.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
yixin wang ◽  
jing xiu ◽  
tingting yang ◽  
chune ren ◽  
zhenhai yu

Abstract BackgroundEndometriosis is a chronic hormonal inflammatory disease characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue (glands and stroma) outside the uterus. Endometriosis seriously affects the physical health of women of childbearing age, often causes infertility, and affects the body and mind of patients and their families.MethodsWe examined the effect of HSF1 on endometriosis through cell count, scratch and clone formation experiments. We used real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting to detect the effect of HSF1 on mRNA and protein of endometriosis cells. Collect the cell culture medium and Glucose levels and lactate levels were determined using a glucose (GO) assay kit and a lactate assay kit. Furthermore, we established a mouse model of endometriosis, and the effect of HSF1 on endometriosis was observed by inhibiting HSF1 with KRIBB11 in the mice.ResultsHSF1 is highly expressed in endometriosis and plays an indispensable role in endometriosis development in both cell and animal studies. We found that HSF1 promotes endometriosis development and glucose consumption and lactic acid production. Further research showed that HSF1 functions in endometriosis by up-regulating PFKFB3, a key enzyme in glycolysis. And the HSF1 inhibitor KRIBB11 can abrogate all of the above experimental effects both in vivo and in vitro. ConclusionsOur study shows that HSF1 plays a significant role in the occurrence and development of endometriosis, which may become a new target for the treatment of endometriosis and provide a new idea for the clinical treatment of endometriosis.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document